Free-range kids picked up AGAIN by police

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But I don't think people are as worried about the destination as they are about the journey. Are there any major roads or busy intersections nearby?

Do you think that a six-year-old and a ten-year-old are inherently incapable of crossing a major road by themselves, or do you think it depends on the specific six-year-old and ten-year-old and the specific major road?

Studies suggest this is not until about 8 years old to be reliable.

Which studies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bet next the Helicopter Parents will start passing laws saying you can't be more then 10' away from your kids or the police will take your kids. What a joke.

Why don't these people have a nanny or are they too cheap and pass it off as free range.

Wow. What an elitist POV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I posted earlier asking if this is actually illegal.

It would help if the county police and/or CPS would clarify this for everyone. If it is illegal for kids ages 6 and 10 to be alone at a park 1/3 of a mile from home, I wish the police would make that clear.

Yes. It is. Go to the court hearing if you want to learn more. I am sure the FB page will post the time and location.

What law says that it is illegal for children ages 6 and 10 to be alone at a park 1/3 of a mile from home?

Maryland Child Protective Services Procedures (SSA95-13) define an "unattended child" as:
A child under eight left alone or in the care of a person who is not reliable or who is under 13.
A child aged eight through 12 left alone for longer than brief periods without support systems which should include phone numbers of parents, other family members or neighbors, information about personal safety, and what to do in an emergency. Children in this age group may not be left to care for children under the age of eight.
A child 12 or over who is left alone for long hours or overnight or with responsibilities beyond capabilities or where there is some special risk factor such as mental retardation or physical handicap that would indicate that the child may be in jeopardy.
A child who has been abandoned.
A child of any age who is handicapped and left alone, if the handicapping condition constitutes a special risk factor which indicates that the child is in jeopardy.
Maryland Family Law, 5-701(p) states that NEGLECT is "the leaving of a child unattended or other failure to give proper care and attention to a child by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision under circumstances that indicate: that the child's health or welfare is harmed or placed at substantial risk of harm."
The Montgomery County Child Protective Services defines neglect as "the chronic failure of a parent, caretaker, household or family member to provide a child under 18 basic needs of life, such as: food, clothing, shelter, medical care, attention to hygiene, educational opportunity, protection and supervision. Cultural standards which differ from those of most of the community are not necessarily neglect." To make a report call 240-777-4417.

OK. So is it illegal for children under the age of 13 to walk to school without an adult? Is it illegal for children to play outside without an adult if one of the children is under 8?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yep - not to mention that the Downtown Silver Spring outdoor mall area, with was just 2-3 blocks away from the park these kids were picked up in, has been the site of epic gang battles in the recent past -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/concerns-about-silver-spring-spur-consideration-of-curfew/2011/07/26/gIQAXiYobI_story.html. I think a lot of the people supporting these parents don't quite have a sense of the geography and situation here. We're not talking about some quiet suburban neighborhood filled with kids and SAHMs. It's a major, traffic-filled urban center full of strangers.

And I say this as one who also had one of those 70s/80s free range childhoods and benefitted from it, and am sad that my kid won't get the same thing. But hanging out in a park in the late afternoon as a 6 and 10 year old in Downtown Silver Spring is a FAR cry from my free range childhood, which took place in practically car-free cul de sac with dozens of kids out at any one time, and neighborhood parents who knew all of us.

Epic gang battles on a lovely weekend afternoon? Really?

I'm also impressed by the assumption that Downtown Silver Spring is practically Manhattan. Not to mention that kids actually do routinely walk around the real actual Manhattan without getting taken into custody by CPS.

Agree they're not the same, but a 6 and 10 year old wandering around Manhattan alone might certainly attract a CPS call.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I posted earlier asking if this is actually illegal.

It would help if the county police and/or CPS would clarify this for everyone. If it is illegal for kids ages 6 and 10 to be alone at a park 1/3 of a mile from home, I wish the police would make that clear.

Yes. It is. Go to the court hearing if you want to learn more. I am sure the FB page will post the time and location.

What law says that it is illegal for children ages 6 and 10 to be alone at a park 1/3 of a mile from home?

Maryland Child Protective Services Procedures (SSA95-13) define an "unattended child" as:
A child under eight left alone or in the care of a person who is not reliable or who is under 13.
A child aged eight through 12 left alone for longer than brief periods without support systems which should include phone numbers of parents, other family members or neighbors, information about personal safety, and what to do in an emergency. Children in this age group may not be left to care for children under the age of eight.
A child 12 or over who is left alone for long hours or overnight or with responsibilities beyond capabilities or where there is some special risk factor such as mental retardation or physical handicap that would indicate that the child may be in jeopardy.
A child who has been abandoned.
A child of any age who is handicapped and left alone, if the handicapping condition constitutes a special risk factor which indicates that the child is in jeopardy.
Maryland Family Law, 5-701(p) states that NEGLECT is "the leaving of a child unattended or other failure to give proper care and attention to a child by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision under circumstances that indicate: that the child's health or welfare is harmed or placed at substantial risk of harm."
The Montgomery County Child Protective Services defines neglect as "the chronic failure of a parent, caretaker, household or family member to provide a child under 18 basic needs of life, such as: food, clothing, shelter, medical care, attention to hygiene, educational opportunity, protection and supervision. Cultural standards which differ from those of most of the community are not necessarily neglect." To make a report call 240-777-4417.

OK. So is it illegal for children under the age of 13 to walk to school without an adult? Is it illegal for children to play outside without an adult if one of the children is under 8?

Yes, in Maryland. Move to DC, much more sensible.

[Anonymous]

Regardless of what is "right" in this situation, these parents are absolutely looking for a fight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yep - not to mention that the Downtown Silver Spring outdoor mall area, with was just 2-3 blocks away from the park these kids were picked up in, has been the site of epic gang battles in the recent past -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/concerns-about-silver-spring-spur-consideration-of-curfew/2011/07/26/gIQAXiYobI_story.html. I think a lot of the people supporting these parents don't quite have a sense of the geography and situation here. We're not talking about some quiet suburban neighborhood filled with kids and SAHMs. It's a major, traffic-filled urban center full of strangers.

And I say this as one who also had one of those 70s/80s free range childhoods and benefitted from it, and am sad that my kid won't get the same thing. But hanging out in a park in the late afternoon as a 6 and 10 year old in Downtown Silver Spring is a FAR cry from my free range childhood, which took place in practically car-free cul de sac with dozens of kids out at any one time, and neighborhood parents who knew all of us.

Epic gang battles on a lovely weekend afternoon? Really?

I'm also impressed by the assumption that Downtown Silver Spring is practically Manhattan. Not to mention that kids actually do routinely walk around the real actual Manhattan without getting taken into custody by CPS.

It's a well-known gang area. THAT is why CPS was probably concerned. Are you so naive to think that this is only an issue during the night?

"Gang experts say commercial hubs, like Downtown Silver Spring, Gallery Place in D.C. and Metro stations across the region have become meeting areas for gangs."

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/09/gang-prevention-conference-held-in-silver-spring-80290.html#ixzz3XCRLHHW7

Really, you're going to let your six year old play alone in a park three blocks from a well-known "meeting area for gangs"? And if the parents did not know this, that is further evidence of their lack of discretion and judgment. If they are so dead set on being free range parents, then they need to do it in a place that make sense. Not downtown Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It's a well-known gang area. THAT is why CPS was probably concerned. Are you so naive to think that this is only an issue during the night?

"Gang experts say commercial hubs, like Downtown Silver Spring, Gallery Place in D.C. and Metro stations across the region have become meeting areas for gangs."

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/09/gang-prevention-conference-held-in-silver-spring-80290.html#ixzz3XCRLHHW7

Really, you're going to let your six year old play alone in a park three blocks from a well-known "meeting area for gangs"? And if the parents did not know this, that is further evidence of their lack of discretion and judgment. If they are so dead set on being free range parents, then they need to do it in a place that make sense. Not downtown Silver Spring.

Gosh, I was walking around there just the other day, and it looked like such a nice, pleasant area. Little did I know how narrowly I escaped being gunned down by a stray bullet!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I posted earlier asking if this is actually illegal.

It would help if the county police and/or CPS would clarify this for everyone. If it is illegal for kids ages 6 and 10 to be alone at a park 1/3 of a mile from home, I wish the police would make that clear.

Yes. It is. Go to the court hearing if you want to learn more. I am sure the FB page will post the time and location.

What law says that it is illegal for children ages 6 and 10 to be alone at a park 1/3 of a mile from home?

Maryland Child Protective Services Procedures (SSA95-13) define an "unattended child" as:
A child under eight left alone or in the care of a person who is not reliable or who is under 13.
A child aged eight through 12 left alone for longer than brief periods without support systems which should include phone numbers of parents, other family members or neighbors, information about personal safety, and what to do in an emergency. Children in this age group may not be left to care for children under the age of eight.
A child 12 or over who is left alone for long hours or overnight or with responsibilities beyond capabilities or where there is some special risk factor such as mental retardation or physical handicap that would indicate that the child may be in jeopardy.
A child who has been abandoned.
A child of any age who is handicapped and left alone, if the handicapping condition constitutes a special risk factor which indicates that the child is in jeopardy.
Maryland Family Law, 5-701(p) states that NEGLECT is "the leaving of a child unattended or other failure to give proper care and attention to a child by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision under circumstances that indicate: that the child's health or welfare is harmed or placed at substantial risk of harm."
The Montgomery County Child Protective Services defines neglect as "the chronic failure of a parent, caretaker, household or family member to provide a child under 18 basic needs of life, such as: food, clothing, shelter, medical care, attention to hygiene, educational opportunity, protection and supervision. Cultural standards which differ from those of most of the community are not necessarily neglect." To make a report call 240-777-4417.

OK. So is it illegal for children under the age of 13 to walk to school without an adult? Is it illegal for children to play outside without an adult if one of the children is under 8?

Yes, in Maryland. Move to DC, much more sensible.

I don't see anything in those regs that would prohibit walking to school by a child between 8-13, in the proper circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Downtown Silver Spring has some very busy streets, and a few pedestrian fatalities in the past few years. Sometimes kids don't pay enough attention or take stupid risks because they don't truly understand they could get hit by a car or whatever. A good number of adults and teens run across Colesville, Georgia, etc. against the light. If you're not paying attention, that serves as a cue that it's your turn to cross too.

Yep - not to mention that the Downtown Silver Spring outdoor mall area, with was just 2-3 blocks away from the park these kids were picked up in, has been the site of epic gang battles in the recent past -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/concerns-about-silver-spring-spur-consideration-of-curfew/2011/07/26/gIQAXiYobI_story.html. I think a lot of the people supporting these parents don't quite have a sense of the geography and situation here. We're not talking about some quiet suburban neighborhood filled with kids and SAHMs. It's a major, traffic-filled urban center full of strangers.

And I say this as one who also had one of those 70s/80s free range childhoods and benefitted from it, and am sad that my kid won't get the same thing. But hanging out in a park in the late afternoon as a 6 and 10 year old in Downtown Silver Spring is a FAR cry from my free range childhood, which took place in practically car-free cul de sac with dozens of kids out at any one time, and neighborhood parents who knew all of us.

The page you link to doesn't work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's a well-known gang area. THAT is why CPS was probably concerned. Are you so naive to think that this is only an issue during the night?

"Gang experts say commercial hubs, like Downtown Silver Spring, Gallery Place in D.C. and Metro stations across the region have become meeting areas for gangs."

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/09/gang-prevention-conference-held-in-silver-spring-80290.html#ixzz3XCRLHHW7

Really, you're going to let your six year old play alone in a park three blocks from a well-known "meeting area for gangs"? And if the parents did not know this, that is further evidence of their lack of discretion and judgment. If they are so dead set on being free range parents, then they need to do it in a place that make sense. Not downtown Silver Spring.

Gosh, I was walking around there just the other day, and it looked like such a nice, pleasant area. Little did I know how narrowly I escaped being gunned down by a stray bullet!

Right, shows what you actually don't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Downtown Silver Spring has some very busy streets, and a few pedestrian fatalities in the past few years. Sometimes kids don't pay enough attention or take stupid risks because they don't truly understand they could get hit by a car or whatever. A good number of adults and teens run across Colesville, Georgia, etc. against the light. If you're not paying attention, that serves as a cue that it's your turn to cross too.

Yep - not to mention that the Downtown Silver Spring outdoor mall area, with was just 2-3 blocks away from the park these kids were picked up in, has been the site of epic gang battles in the recent past -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/concerns-about-silver-spring-spur-consideration-of-curfew/2011/07/26/gIQAXiYobI_story.html. I think a lot of the people supporting these parents don't quite have a sense of the geography and situation here. We're not talking about some quiet suburban neighborhood filled with kids and SAHMs. It's a major, traffic-filled urban center full of strangers.

And I say this as one who also had one of those 70s/80s free range childhoods and benefitted from it, and am sad that my kid won't get the same thing. But hanging out in a park in the late afternoon as a 6 and 10 year old in Downtown Silver Spring is a FAR cry from my free range childhood, which took place in practically car-free cul de sac with dozens of kids out at any one time, and neighborhood parents who knew all of us.

The page you link to doesn't work.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/co...1/07/26/gIQAXiYobI_story.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's a well-known gang area. THAT is why CPS was probably concerned. Are you so naive to think that this is only an issue during the night?

"Gang experts say commercial hubs, like Downtown Silver Spring, Gallery Place in D.C. and Metro stations across the region have become meeting areas for gangs."

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/09/gang-prevention-conference-held-in-silver-spring-80290.html#ixzz3XCRLHHW7

Really, you're going to let your six year old play alone in a park three blocks from a well-known "meeting area for gangs"? And if the parents did not know this, that is further evidence of their lack of discretion and judgment. If they are so dead set on being free range parents, then they need to do it in a place that make sense. Not downtown Silver Spring.

Gosh, I was walking around there just the other day, and it looked like such a nice, pleasant area. Little did I know how narrowly I escaped being gunned down by a stray bullet!

Don't be stupid, just cause they dressed up the area doesn't mean the underlying criminal element disappeared

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's a well-known gang area. THAT is why CPS was probably concerned. Are you so naive to think that this is only an issue during the night?

"Gang experts say commercial hubs, like Downtown Silver Spring, Gallery Place in D.C. and Metro stations across the region have become meeting areas for gangs."

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/09/gang-prevention-conference-held-in-silver-spring-80290.html#ixzz3XCRLHHW7

Really, you're going to let your six year old play alone in a park three blocks from a well-known "meeting area for gangs"? And if the parents did not know this, that is further evidence of their lack of discretion and judgment. If they are so dead set on being free range parents, then they need to do it in a place that make sense. Not downtown Silver Spring.

Gosh, I was walking around there just the other day, and it looked like such a nice, pleasant area. Little did I know how narrowly I escaped being gunned down by a stray bullet!

Right, shows what you actually don't know.

And to clarify - I think downtown Silver Spring is a perfectly nice place, I don't hesitate to go there and bring my kid with me. I'm not some crazy alarmist. BUT let my 6 and 10 year old go there alone? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yep - not to mention that the Downtown Silver Spring outdoor mall area, with was just 2-3 blocks away from the park these kids were picked up in, has been the site of epic gang battles in the recent past -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/concerns-about-silver-spring-spur-consideration-of-curfew/2011/07/26/gIQAXiYobI_story.html. I think a lot of the people supporting these parents don't quite have a sense of the geography and situation here. We're not talking about some quiet suburban neighborhood filled with kids and SAHMs. It's a major, traffic-filled urban center full of strangers.

And I say this as one who also had one of those 70s/80s free range childhoods and benefitted from it, and am sad that my kid won't get the same thing. But hanging out in a park in the late afternoon as a 6 and 10 year old in Downtown Silver Spring is a FAR cry from my free range childhood, which took place in practically car-free cul de sac with dozens of kids out at any one time, and neighborhood parents who knew all of us.

Epic gang battles on a lovely weekend afternoon? Really?

I'm also impressed by the assumption that Downtown Silver Spring is practically Manhattan. Not to mention that kids actually do routinely walk around the real actual Manhattan without getting taken into custody by CPS.

JaJaJaJa

You actually compared SS to Manhattan.